Special: California School Closures Due to the COVID-19 Virus -- What You Should Know

03/20/20 • 13 min

In less than two weeks, nearly all school districts and schools in California have closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These closures impact six million students and their families, plus hundreds of thousands of educators, school and district staff, and leaders. Moreover, school closures deeply affect our local communities.

We're interrupting our planned schedule of ed funding topics to provide this special update. Join guests Sara Bachez and Elizabeth Esquivel from CASBO’s Governmental Relations team as they share important information about the school closures. They highlight actions that state leaders have taken to minimize spread of the virus. On March 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order, which ensured that schools continue to receive funding and outlined key efforts that schools should pursue. This past weekend the state legislature acted swiftly to approve a number of bills to support the effort. Also this week, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond, and the Departments of Education and Health briefed thousands of educators to help carry out the Governor’s executive order. The CDE is providing the latest, updated guidance on its website.
Sara and Elizabeth also provide a quick recap about:

Who makes the decisions to close schools? What services and instruction (such as distance learning) are school districts working hard to provide during this most challenging time?
What is the vital role schools play in ensuring that students have access to meals, even when schools are closed.
What else do schools need to remain stable and be able to support students and their communities right now?

We also share news that the Governor has issued another executive order, pending federal approval, to suspend statewide standardized testing for this year. Update: President Trump announced Friday that the federal government would suspend national testing requirements this year.
For certain, responding to a pandemic that has closed down schools and forced millions to shelter in place is largely unchartered territory for Californians. As we press forward in the days and weeks ahead, more information and guidance will be coming from the state and local leaders. CASBO will help share this information. If you have questions, email Sara or Elizabeth at [email protected] or [email protected].

Resources

California Department of Education Website
CA.Gov California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
"What California Parents and Students Should Know About COVID-19" from EdSource
“Learning in the Time of COVID-19” – Online Resources for Educators, Parents and more from the Learning Policy Institute
California Releases New COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools, Governor's Office
CASBO.org
Information for Schools on Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak from CSBA

Who makes the decisions to close schools? What services and instruction (such as distance learning) are school districts working hard to provide during this most challenging time?
What is the vital role schools play in ensuring that students have access to meals, even when schools are closed.
What else do schools need to remain stable and be able to support students and their communities right now?

Resources

California Department of Education Website
CA.Gov California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
"What California Parents and Students Should Know About COVID-19" from EdSource
“Learning in the Time of COVID-19” – Online Resources for Educators, Parents and more from the Learning Policy Institute
California Releases New COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools, Governor's Office
CASBO.org
Information for Schools on Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak from CSBA

Previous Episode

Special: 3 Things To Focus On During A Crisis -- Leadership Tips

Sadly, we have a crisis on our hands -- locally, across the state and nation, and globally -- as we work to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The magnitude of, and speed at which, we find ourselves in this new circumstance is hard to fathom. The road ahead is largely uncharted.

In this episode, we check in with CASBO’s CEO and Executive Director, Molly McGee Hewitt, to help us think about what’s important for leaders to focus on during times when so much is unsettled and uncertain around us. Molly’s service as a leader and communicator in a wide range of roles gives her unique experiences to draw on. And whether you’re a leader in a school district, a civic group, in your job or community or family, she has some great tips and strategies to remember.

Be sure to listen to our other recent episode about the impact of COVID-19 on school closures in California.
More Resources about school closures in California and the impact of COVID-19

About Molly McGee Hewitt
For more than a decade, Molly has served as CASBO's CEO & Executive Director. She began her career as a public information officer and public relations professional for several unified school districts and non-profit organizations. She has served as a classroom teacher, site and district administrator, and school board member; and she's worked with school districts, county offices of education and educational organizations in North, South and Central America. She's received more than 200 awards and commendations for her public service; and she's authored more than 14 publications for educators, administrators and school board members, including “A PR Guide for School Administrators.”

At CASBO, Molly oversees all leadership, membership, advocacy, professional development and business efforts.

About CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders. CASBO is dedicated to promoting excellence and professionalism in all aspects of school business. Founded in 1928, CASBO serves more than 24,000 members by providing certifications and training, promoting business best practices and creating opportunities for professional collaboration. CASBO members represent every facet of school business management and operations. The association offers public school leaders an entire career's worth of growth opportunities.

About your series guide

Paul Richman served as the first executive director of the California State Parent Teachers Association, as well as chief of staff for the California School Boards Association. Most recently he has helped lead a state coalition, the Alliance for Continuous Improvement, and is part of the team that produces the Inside California Education public TV series. Throughout his career, he has focused on raising understanding about school funding and education policy issues – and raising the state’s per-student investment. Contact him at [email protected].

Next Episode

The Meals Must Go On: California Schools Step Up to Provide Students With Meals During the COVID-19 Crisis

California’s public school districts are rising to the challenge of providing students with much-needed meals during the COVID-19 crisis.

In this episode, special guests Stephanie Bruce, Nutrition Services Director for Palm Springs USD and Andrew Soliz, Director of Child Nutrition Services for San Mateo-Foster City School District share how their districts are preparing and delivering meals to thousands of students daily, even in the face of a global pandemic. Essentially, food service teams throughout the state are serving as first responders in the massive effort to ensure millions of students continue to receive nutritious meals while schools are closed.

Andrew and Stephanie offer a glimpse into the approaches their districts are taking, including the innovative use of school busses to deliver meals to local neighborhoods and “Grab and Go” operations. They also discuss how they’re keeping staff and students safe, challenges, lessons to share – and inspiring moments as communities come together during the crisis.

Note: During this time, we’re utilizing our series to bring you more topical guidance and inspiring stories from around the state.

Resources

Gov. Newsom’s March 13 Executive Order states that to continue to receive funding, districts must “Provide school meals in non-congregate settings...consistent with the requirements of the California Department of Education and U.S Department of Agriculture.”
National School Lunch Program Fact Sheet
What is the California State Meal Program?
How Are Kids Fed, Ed100.org blog
Just in: New waivers announced by USDA allow parents to take meals home to their children.

Fact: In 2019, 59.4% of CA public school children were eligible for free and reduced price lunches.

About our Guests

After starting his career with the Salt Lake City School District, Andrew moved to Fresno, where he served as Director of Child Nutrition, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation for a small school district. Prior to his current role, he also served as Executive Manager of Food and Nutrition in San Leandro. Andrew has served as President of the California School Nutrition Association and currently serves as CASBO's Professional Council Chair of Child Nutrition, and Director I for CASBO’s NorthernSection Board.
Stephanie has worked in the food service industry for over 30 years and in Child Nutrition for 20 years. She has been with the Palm Springs USD for the past 6 years. She holds a Culinary Arts Degree from College of the Desert; a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management from California Polytechnic College in Pomona; and an MBA in Finance from the University of Redlands. Stephanie currently sits as the West Region Leadership Committee representative for the School Nutrition Association (SNA) and is an Instructor for both the CASBO CBO certification program and the USC Rossier School of Business.
About the California Association of School Business Officials
CASBO is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders. About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]